Light fixture having removable panels



A KRAMER March 25, 1930.

LIGHT FIXTURE HAVING REMOVABLE PANELS Filed April 4-. 1929 INVENTOR ABRAHAM KRAMER 7 ATTORNI IY Patented Mar. 25, 19306:

UNITED srA mu oFFlcE xmnn, or unwyoax, u. it.

arena: navrnolnnuovasenn rum Application filed April My presentinvention relates to -light fixtures, and, more particularly, to an improvement in a lightl'fixture prov1ded with readily removable and replaceable reflector anels.

Although light fixtures, such as c andeliers, have been constructedrin the past in such a manner that the glass reflector sec selectivel with but a single, movement of 1 the indiv dual p nel. The fact is, inthe past, and prior to my present invention, consid erable manipulation was necessary to remove a panel from the fixture] frame. 'Further, the constructions were crude, expensive and readily destroyed due to excessivemanipulation and bendin retaining the refl actor panels in position. Now, I have discovered and designed a light fixture which is truly simple in construetion, embodies a plurality of reflector panels in any position, and yet is so devised that merely a single motion of the hand serves to remove one of the panels from the fixture.

Inshort, not only have I invented a light fixture thatreadily lends itself to a multitude I or ornamental designs, but one that may be assembled or dis-assembled in a plurality of single motions.

Accordingly, it is one of the main objects of my present invention to provide a light fixture of simple construction, so designed and constructed that a minimum expenditure of 'eflort and materials is required to assemble all the component reflector panels into the fixture frame.

Another important objectis to provide a light fixture, so constructed as to lend "itself to the assembly of a design of highly ornamental appearance,'ancl comprising a frame composed-of a plurality of members cooperating to receive reflector panels, and each of the members being provided with a groove whereby an individual reflecting panel may be disposed into its predetermined position or twisting, of the parts ing ca ly organizat ons whereby my invention aaaf Serial in, 352,413.

byinerely slidingthepanel along the grooves of-its associated pair of frame members.

Other objects of the inventionare to .pro-

vide a light fixture,whether it be a chandelier,

wall bracket "or lamp shade, which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture,

composed of members'coordin'atedto produce a pleasing and highly ornamentaldesign, and particularly distinguished by the fact that its component reflector panels may 'be readily removed or replaced by a motion of the hand involving a minimum expenditureof effort-or knowledge of assemblin a light fixture.

The novel .features w liich I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth in particularity in the appended claims, the invention itself, however, as to both its organi- 'zation and method of assembly will be best understood by referenceto the following description taken in-connection with the draw-.

in which I have indicated diagrammatima be carried into effect.

n the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a wall bracket em-- bodying my invention. i

Fig. 2 is a sectionalview taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the directionof the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of a grooved frame member.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of'a modified form of grooved member.

Fig. 5 1s a sectional view of the modification in Fig. 4.

Re erring to the accompanying drawing in which like characters of reference indicate the same arts in the different views, Fig. 1 shows a p urality of frame members, built up into a particular design, it being understood that any desired deslgn maybe formed of The back 1 has aflixed a each Of'its two opposite, longitudinal edges,a frame member 2. Each member 2 is provided with a groove 3 of a len th' equal to the :length of the member. ach grooved member is open ended at one end, as ate, andclosed at the opposite end, asat 5. Thus, the two sides 6, 6 of each member 2, cooperate with the end to provide a receiving and retaining means for the edge of reflector panel 7.

p I As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the members 2, 2

are inclined towards each other, in order to be in alignment. with similar grooved members 2, 2. The frame members 2, 2' are I members 2 and 2.

A reflector panel 7, of translucent glass,

and of a shape, for example, as shown in Fig. '1, is disposed in position between the members 2", 2". The .panel 7 is inserted into position by: sliding it into the grooves of the members 2", 2", until the bottom of the side edges of the panel. rest on the closed ends 5, 5 of the grooved members; as shown by dotted line the side edges of the panel 7 are thus positioned in the grooves of members 2, 2H.

In the same way, a panel 7 can be inserted between each pair of members 2, 2 on either side of the fixture. By means of proper spacing Wires 8, (omitted in Fig. 1 for the sake of simplicity of showing, and shown in Fig. 2) any design of frame members may be built up. For example, in Fig. 1 a plurality of grooved frame members, of shorter length than the members 2, 2, 2, are shown inwardly spaced therefrom by the wires 8, and

arranged in three groups. One of the groups consists of six members disposed above the members 2, 2, 2", comprlsing two members 9, 9, affixed to the backing 1, and 1nclined in a direction parallel to the inclination of members 2, 2. In alignment with the members 9, 9 are two members 9, 9', spaced from the former members by the wires 8.

Two front frame members, parallel to members 2", are aflixcd to the members 9, 9. These front members 9", 9", are shown retaining a reflecting panel 7 which is similar to panel 7 in every respect, except in size. As in the case of members 2, 2, 2", members 9, 9, 9 cooperate to receive three panels, which rest on the closed ends 5 of the latter members.

Below the members 2, 2. 2". are two telescoped groups of frame members. .Aflixed to the backing l, are two grooved members 10,10, having top open-ends 4 and closed ends 5, as described in connection with members 9 and 2. In alignment with members manage 10 are. two members 10',- 10', and they are spaced therefrom by wires 8 (not shown).

Frontmemb'ers 10", '10" are affixed to the "frame members 11, 11', 11-are positioned below the members 10, 10, 10", the two rear members 11, 11 being spaced from the members 10,10 by wires 8 (not shown).

A reflecting panel 12 is shown retained in position between members 11", the panel resting on the closed ends 5 of the said members.

From the preceding descriptiomit is apparent that there are provided several groups of frame members, the frame members 2-2', 22, 22 constituting one group; frame members 99, 9 -9, 9'9 constituting a second group; members .1010, 1010, and 1010 constituting a third group; and frame members 1l-11, 11"-,11", and 1111 constituting a fourth group. Each group of frame members is 'thus disposed concentrically about a vertical axis common to all the groups, and whlch axis is disposed substantially 1n the plane of the back 1.

Furthermore, each frame member is parallel to each and every other member of the same or other groups, so that each group is disposed parallel to each other group. In this way, there is provided a plurality of par allel groups of frame members which are grouped about a common axis lying, in the modification shown herein, in the plane of the back 1. Also, it is to be noted that each panel has both its extremities extending beyond the extremities of its supporting grooved frame members. This enables each panel to be withdrawn from between its supporting frame members with but a single motion, and Without obstruction by any other panel.

Now, it will be obvious that it is the simplest matter to assemble the panels in a fixture of my invention, it being only necessary to slide a particular reflecting panel between its appropriate grooved frame members, until it rests on the closed end 5. of the frame members. To remove it is just as easy. Merely pulling a panel upwardly removes it: Thus, each panel 7', 7, 7'and'12 in Fig. 1, may be removed independently of one another, it being especially observed that even in the most complicated chandelier design, an inner panel, as 12, in Fig. 1, may be easily removed by simply grasping the top of the panel from the top of the fixture and pulling it upwardly. Should a panel break, it is merely required that a new panel be ordered from the manufacturer, and when received be instantly and easily replaced. This arrangement thus avoids the necessity of sending the entire fixture back to the manufacturer, where the panels are soldered, or otherwise affixed, to one another. Obviously in the case of large ceiling chandeliers, an arrangement of my invention secures greatly beneficial results in ease of panel removal,

cleaning, replaceability and appearance of a group of crystals.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I have shown a modified form of grooved member, in which the closed end 5 is made adjustable, thus permitting longitudinal adjustment of a reflecting panel, and, additionally, the insertion of a panel from the bottom of a pair of grooved members by removing the adjustable ends 5 or lowering them sufficiently to permit the insertion of the panel edges in the grooves 4 of the pair of members.

As shown in Figsl and 5, each frame memher is afiixed to a post 15, tapped at its bottom by a screw 16 having an enlarged head 17 with a portion 5 providing the supporting end for the panel. It is to be understood that where two grooved members are adjacent each other, the screw 16 could have a head 17, providing with a second enlarged, circular portion 5, which latter portionwould form the supporting end of the sec- 0nd grooved member. The head 17 can be made ornamental, so as to have it conformwith the rest of the fixture design.

While I have indicated and describedonly two modifications for carrying my invention into effect, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that my invention is by no means limited to the particular organizations shown and described, but that many modifications in the arrangements may be employed, without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

l/Vhat I claim is 1. A light fixture comprising a plurality. of parallel groups of spaced frame members, said frame member groups being disposed about a common axis, and said frame memhers being provided withpanel retaining grooves.

2. A light fixture comprising a plurality of parallel groups of spaced frame memhers, said frame member groups being disposed about a common axis, and said frame a members being provided with panel retaining grooves, a panel supported between each pair of frame members solely in the grooves thereof, at least one extremity of each panel extending. beyond the extremities of its supporting frame members.

3. A light fixturevcomprising a plurality of parallel groups of spaced frame members having grooves therein, said frame member groupsbeing disposed about a common axis, and panels in each group of frame members disposed between adjoining pairs thereof, said panels being retained in place solely in the grooves of said frame members.

4. A light fixture comprising a plurality or parallel groups of spaced frame members said frame member groups being disposed about a common axis, and sald frame memhers each being parallel to any other frame member of any group, the said frame memhers being provided with panel retaining grooves.

6. A light fixture comprising a plurality of groups of spaced, parallel frame members,

said groups being concentric about a common x axis and each of said groups having its frame members relatively offset in the direction of said axis, a panel disposed between each pair of adjoining frame members, each frame member being provided with a panel retain- 

